The changing postal landscape and what it means for rural communities

The postal service may seem like one of those things we all take for granted, but in the countryside, it is so much more than just letters and parcels. It is a lifeline, a way of keeping connected, and a crucial part of business life. So when Ofcom launched a consultation on the future of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and postal regulations, we at the Countryside Alliance felt it was important to ensure rural communities were not forgotten.

The postal world is changing, and it's hard to ignore the growing shift from letter delivery to parcel services. As Royal Mail adapts to this change in order to stay financially sustainable, we are urging Ofcom to ensure that the changes do not negatively impact rural communities, who rely heavily on a reliable, affordable postal service.

Why "one-price-goes-anywhere" matters for rural communities

One of the fundamental principles we must protect is the "one-price-goes-anywhere" service. This means that whether you are in the middle of a city or in a quiet rural village, the cost of sending a letter should be the same. Simple, right? But for rural communities, this is absolutely vital. We do not want to see any changes that would hike up the cost of service or reduce the level of service in the countryside. The risk here is that if Royal Mail starts cutting down on services for rural areas, we could end up with a two-tier system where city dwellers get better, more frequent, and cheaper deliveries, while those in the countryside get left behind. That's just not acceptable.

What’s at stake: Reducing second-class letter deliveries

One of the proposals in this consultation is the potential reduction in the frequency of second-class letter deliveries. Now, we know that the postal market is changing, but the reality is that for many rural residents, the postal service is more than just a convenience, it's often the primary way of communicating, especially in places where broadband and mobile signals can be patchy.

In fact, when we asked our members about their postal preferences, we found that 43% still prefer to communicate by letter, and 40% rely on it for both business and household matters. If second-class deliveries get cut back, it could create massive disruption for those who rely on this service the most.

Many small businesses also depend on regular, timely mail to keep their operations ticking. Whether it is customer orders, invoices, or legal documents, delays in delivery could mess with their day-to-day running. And if the postal service gets less reliable, these businesses might end up paying extra for quicker services, which is not a fair deal.

Preserving fairness for all: What we want from Ofcom

We have long championed the “one-price-goes-anywhere” principle, and we’re going to keep campaigning for it to be a core part of the USO. This is about fairness. Rural areas should have the same access to reliable postal services as cities do, and we’ll continue to argue against any changes that would reduce this level of access or make it more expensive.

We do not want to see a situation where rural communities are left with fewer services and higher costs while urban areas continue to enjoy full postal service at the same price. Ofcom needs to look at the unique challenges rural areas face and ensure that any changes to the postal service do not unfairly disadvantage the countryside.

Ensuring a sustainable postal service for all

We understand that changes need to be made and that Royal Mail needs to evolve to stay financially viable in an increasingly parcel-heavy market. And we’re not opposed to change. But we believe that evolution shouldn’t come at the cost of service, particularly for those in remote parts of the UK who don’t have access to the alternatives that those who live in urban areas.

For instance the service requirements for parcels, such as delivery up to seven days a weeks, should remain unchanged. Parcels are an increasingly important part of the postal service, and in rural areas, where other delivery options might not be as readily available, we need these services to stay consistent.

Our recommendations to Ofcom

So, what do we want to see?

1. Stick to the one-price-goes-anywhere principle.
   Any changes to second-class letter delivery should not undermine the principle that all areas—urban and rural—get the same service at the same cost. No rural postcode should pay more or get less service than the big cities.
2. Think about rural areas.
   Rural areas are different. We’re more spread out, we don’t always have great internet, and sometimes alternatives to mail just aren’t an option. Ofcom must ensure that any changes to delivery frequency consider these challenges and don’t unfairly disadvantage rural areas.
3. Keep rural businesses in mind.
   Rural businesses rely on the post to operate efficiently. Any reduction in delivery frequency needs to be carefully thought through to avoid disrupting business communications or economic activity in the countryside.
4. Be open to flexible solutions.
   One possible solution could be a tiered delivery system that offers rural areas more flexibility. Imagine a “pay-as-you-go” option where customers can opt for more frequent second-class deliveries at an affordable extra cost. This way, we can tailor services to meet the varying needs of rural communities without compromising on service.
   
   

Lets get this right for rural communities

We know the postal service needs to evolve, but we can’t afford to let rural areas fall through the cracks. Rural communities should continue to enjoy the same level of service as urban areas—whether that’s sending letters or receiving parcels. Any changes that affect rural residents must be carefully considered, with a focus on fairness, affordability, and accessibility.

The Countryside Alliance is committed to ensuring that rural communities are never left behind in this changing postal world. We hope Ofcom will listen to these concerns and take them seriously as they make decisions that will affect all of us.

You can read our full consultation here.about this blogabout this blog